Twin River Casino, Lincoln,RI.
June 19th, 2013 at 10:58:59 AM
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It's official. From horses to greyhounds to slot parlor this facility is now a full fledged casino.The ribbon cutting ceremony ushering in table games took place this morning with the usual fanfare and celebrities. Patrons must be 18 years of age to enter and play their favorite games. The age to purchase and consume alcohol is 21 but the state is considering lowering it to 18 for military personnel. Alcoholic drinks are not complimentary at the tables but can be purchased.
I focused on blackjack and Spanish 21 and can say that the rules are comparable to the Connecticut games with conditions that make them very playable. Some tables have Match The Dealer with a 28-1 payout for two suited matches. If anyone has specific questions about these games or the casino I should be able to answer them so please feel free to ask.
I focused on blackjack and Spanish 21 and can say that the rules are comparable to the Connecticut games with conditions that make them very playable. Some tables have Match The Dealer with a 28-1 payout for two suited matches. If anyone has specific questions about these games or the casino I should be able to answer them so please feel free to ask.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 19th, 2013 at 11:03:47 AM
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Crowded? Many players, or mostly kibitzers?
June 19th, 2013 at 11:07:48 AM
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As soon as they cut the ribbon every table was full. Blackjack started at $5 on what I call the main floor and limits were quickly raised. There is no grandfathering here, just a one shoe warning.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 19th, 2013 at 11:21:14 AM
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Heeey, I was here once when it was still Lincoln Park. Has the atmosphere improved at all? Sounds like it.
June 19th, 2013 at 11:28:49 AM
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You won't recognize it. They even renamed the road leading to it off route 146 Twin River road some time ago.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 19th, 2013 at 11:32:29 AM
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Actually the casino was named for the road - or maybe more properly the "district" which has been known as such since time began and Twin River Road has had that name since at least the 70's
June 19th, 2013 at 11:44:06 AM
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Quote: chickenmanActually the casino was named for the road - or maybe more properly the "district" which has been known as such since time began and Twin River Road has had that name since at least the 70's
Okay, wanna name the rivers? West River was one of them I think.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 19th, 2013 at 11:50:59 AM
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Quote: 1BBOkay, wanna name the rivers? West River was one of them I think.
Right you are. My understanding is there is actually only the West River which feeds and flows through Wenscott Reservoir ultimately joining the Moshassuck (sp?) so it is the West which is both of the "twin rivers"
Local lore has it that since Douglas Pike bisects the Wenscott that creates two rivers. It's a Rhode Island thing...
June 19th, 2013 at 12:13:53 PM
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Quote: chickenmanRight you are. My understanding is there is actually only the West River which feeds and flows through Wenscott Reservoir ultimately joining the Moshassuck (sp?) so it is the West which is both of the "twin rivers"
Local lore has it that since Douglas Pike bisects the Wenscott that creates two rivers. It's a Rhode Island thing...
I had to go to the internet. I found those two plus the Woonasquatucket River.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 19th, 2013 at 12:26:15 PM
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Yes, the Woonasquatucket also flows from the west a couple miles to the south of the twin river area. Maybe that was close enough to confer the name.
BTW, I live on Woonasquatucket Reservoir so am happy to give up the drive to CT in favor of a neighboring casino.
BTW, I live on Woonasquatucket Reservoir so am happy to give up the drive to CT in favor of a neighboring casino.
June 19th, 2013 at 1:29:57 PM
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Carnival Game & Side Bet offerings @ Twin Rivers?
June 19th, 2013 at 3:29:52 PM
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Let it Ride and Big Six. Some of the blackjack tables have Match The Dealer with a pay schedule of 3,6,14,17,and 28 to 1.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 19th, 2013 at 3:44:37 PM
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I've never been there because it had always been a Class II joint. I get the impression you mostly play blackjack (1BB), but do you know if they replaced their Class II machines with Class III machines?
June 19th, 2013 at 3:48:09 PM
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Quote: JBI've never been there because it had always been a Class II joint. I get the impression you mostly play blackjack (1BB), but do you know if they replaced their Class II machines with Class III machines?
Were they all class II? They had ShuffleMaster Blackjack and Roulette and eventually Craps where lots of players could be betting different outcomes so I don't even know how you could do that as a Class II.
June 19th, 2013 at 3:53:24 PM
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Quote: cclub79Were they all class II? They had ShuffleMaster Blackjack and Roulette and eventually Craps where lots of players could be betting different outcomes so I don't even know how you could do that as a Class II.
I don't know, I've never been there. Presumably virtual roulette/craps/blackjack machines weren't Class II. It is video poker that I'm more interested in, although I doubt a small tribal casino would offer good VP even if it could offer Class III games.
June 19th, 2013 at 4:05:15 PM
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VLTs? The place is run by the Rhode Island State Lottery. I think the information may be on it's web site.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 19th, 2013 at 4:05:41 PM
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There's no listing for this casino at VPFree, so if there were/are VP machines I guess they aren't very good. But, to be clear, this is NOT a small tribal casino. There are 4700 machines on a gaming floor that is 250,000-400,000 sqft (depending on how the horse track space is accounted for)
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
June 19th, 2013 at 4:21:25 PM
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Quote: 1BBVLTs? The place is run by the Rhode Island State Lottery. I think the information may be on it's web site.
Oh, I thought it was tribally operated. Thanks for the correction.
June 19th, 2013 at 4:29:56 PM
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I must say, I don't like this trend of blurring the line between state-run lotteries and casinos, or lotteries building casino-like places. The Sands in Bethlehem PA has lottery ticket vending machines in the food court. The non-tribal casinos in NY are merely extensions of the NY Lottery. Twin River is an extension of the RI Lottery.
The reason I don't like this is because state lotteries typically offer lousy games that return between 25% and 75%. How long before the games in lottery-owned-and-operated "casinos" start dropping the returns on their VLTs to 75%...60%...50%...40%...30%...25% once they realize how much profit they've been missing out on?
The reason I don't like this is because state lotteries typically offer lousy games that return between 25% and 75%. How long before the games in lottery-owned-and-operated "casinos" start dropping the returns on their VLTs to 75%...60%...50%...40%...30%...25% once they realize how much profit they've been missing out on?
June 19th, 2013 at 4:34:13 PM
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there are also lotto sales terminals at Parx, Valley Forge, Harrah's Philly, and Mount Airy. And the Ontario Lottery runs most of their casinos as well.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
June 19th, 2013 at 9:45:56 PM
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Quote: rdw4potusBut, to be clear, this is NOT a small tribal casino. There are 4700 machines on a gaming floor that is 250,000-400,000 sqft (depending on how the horse track space is accounted for)
Was it that big in the Lincoln Park days? I was just discussing it with my family, and we were all in a state of disbelief when the Twin River site claimed it to be 300,000sqft/4500machines.
June 20th, 2013 at 5:20:24 AM
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Quote: VenthusWas it that big in the Lincoln Park days? I was just discussing it with my family, and we were all in a state of disbelief when the Twin River site claimed it to be 300,000sqft/4500machines.
No, it wasn't. Lincoln Downs was horses followed by Lincoln Park with dogs. Coincidentally, or not so coincidentally, Lincoln Park installed its first slots around the time that Foxwoods opened and there couldn't have been more than a couple of hundred. It looked more like a children's arcade and folks who had been to New Jersey or Nevada didn't care for them.
Do you or your family remember Newport Jai Alai? That is now Newport Grand Slots also run by the state lottery. While voters approved table games for Twin River they denied them for Newport Grand.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 20th, 2013 at 5:58:52 AM
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And that's the death knell for the fronton... they are asking for a "temporary" larger cut in proceeds (reduced cut for the state) so they can stay open but Twin River will cannibalize them and if by some miracle (or more likely taxpayer support) they are open when the Mass casinos get underway they'll sink like a submarine with screen doors.
June 20th, 2013 at 6:06:48 AM
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I don't know what she sees in it but my sister goes there all the time. They've only got a thousand slots or so. I think she likes to rub elbows with the Newport snobs. :)
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 20th, 2013 at 6:18:07 AM
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That's a good enough reason :-)
Haven't been there in over 20 years, but back in the day the fronton was a joke with the fixed jai alai games...
Haven't been there in over 20 years, but back in the day the fronton was a joke with the fixed jai alai games...
June 20th, 2013 at 11:18:12 AM
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I used to work down near Thames, so I'd pass by the Jai Alai every day.
That place was just... sad. Next time I'm in the area (if ever, frankly) I'll have to check out Twin River.
That place was just... sad. Next time I'm in the area (if ever, frankly) I'll have to check out Twin River.
June 20th, 2013 at 11:23:31 AM
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The Twin River venue is actually pretty nice - very expansive and spacious design, well laid-out. Some decent food and the bar crew at Wicked Good upstairs are very good
June 24th, 2013 at 7:57:24 PM
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so 1BB, can you go over the BJ rules, decks, shoes, penetration, heat, limits?
thanks!
thanks!
June 24th, 2013 at 8:59:29 PM
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Quote: jmaftirso 1BB, can you go over the BJ rules, decks, shoes, penetration, heat, limits?
thanks!
Never knew we had so many Rhode Islanders here. Jai Alai back when it was Jai Alai was great entertainment.
Oscar
June 25th, 2013 at 3:24:02 AM
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Was there early last evening and strolled through the table game pits. Laid out fairly nicely with plenty of room as I reported previously. Seemed quite busy for a Monday, average age of patrons pretty low, probably as a function of age 18 to gamble, 21 to drink.
One entire pit of BJ was unopened. $15 and $25 tables, max $1000, were mostly full but no problem getting a seat in general; $50/$3000 had some action, one table of $100/$6000 empty. Craps tables were all about half occupied except for one with only 3 players. $10 min 5X odds on the tables I looked at. Roulette tables busy but not full, all the carnival games nearly packed - 3-card poker, Let It Die, Spanish 21.
BJ pays 3:2, stand 17 didn't see rules posted but appeared to be same as CT rules, 8 deck shoes, looked like 6 in higher limit. Penetration looked poor on the couple of tables where I got a look at the cut card. Heat seemed high in that the pit personnel were glued to the games and the floor manager pacing like an expectant father. To be expected because they publicized severe penalties for breaking gaming law/rules as they know they are most vulnerable in the beginning with so many green personnel.
One entire pit of BJ was unopened. $15 and $25 tables, max $1000, were mostly full but no problem getting a seat in general; $50/$3000 had some action, one table of $100/$6000 empty. Craps tables were all about half occupied except for one with only 3 players. $10 min 5X odds on the tables I looked at. Roulette tables busy but not full, all the carnival games nearly packed - 3-card poker, Let It Die, Spanish 21.
BJ pays 3:2, stand 17 didn't see rules posted but appeared to be same as CT rules, 8 deck shoes, looked like 6 in higher limit. Penetration looked poor on the couple of tables where I got a look at the cut card. Heat seemed high in that the pit personnel were glued to the games and the floor manager pacing like an expectant father. To be expected because they publicized severe penalties for breaking gaming law/rules as they know they are most vulnerable in the beginning with so many green personnel.
June 25th, 2013 at 3:49:43 AM
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Quote: jmaftirso 1BB, can you go over the BJ rules, decks, shoes, penetration, heat, limits?
thanks!
There are 42 blackjack tables. All have the same rules as Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods' high limit pits with one minor exception. Pairs, except aces, may be split twice to three hands. This includes 10s. The shoes are 8 decks with 6 tables in the high limit area that are 6 deck. Penetration is very good. You will see over seven decks dealt and over five on the high limit tables. Some of the 8 deck games come very close to 90% penetration.
Table max on the 8 deck games with minimums of $5 to $25 is $1000. During slower hours $25 tables can be found in the high limit area and they have a $2000 max. The max for $50 tables is $3000 and the $100 dollar tables max out at $6000. Two of the 8 deck games are outfitted with ASMs as well as two high limit tables. There are two Spanish 21 tables that are also S17. I don't know the rules but assume that they are comparable to the competition. I do have the payouts if anyone is interested.
Other than being hounded to get a players club card I've experienced no heat and I've been pounding them. I guarantee that will change once things settle down. The high limit tables are supposed to be no mid shoe entry but I've been wonging and spreading to two hands at will. I've also gotten away with some ridiculous betting spreads. Get it while you can!
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 25th, 2013 at 3:59:18 AM
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Quote: 1BBThere are 42 blackjack tables. All have the same rules as Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods' high limit pits with one minor exception. Pairs, except aces, may be split twice to three hands. This includes 10s. The shoes are 8 decks with 6 tables in the high limit area that are 6 deck. Penetration is very good. You will see over seven decks dealt and over five on the high limit tables. Some of the 8 deck games come very close to 90% penetration.
Table max on the 8 deck games with minimums of $5 to $25 is $1000. During slower hours $25 tables can be found in the high limit area and they have a $2000 max. The max for $50 tables is $3000 and the $100 dollar tables max out at $6000. Two of the 8 deck games are outfitted with ASMs as well as two high limit tables. There are two Spanish 21 tables also S17. I don't know the rules but assume that they are comparable to the competition. I do have the payouts if anyone is interested.
Other than being hounded to get a players club card I've experienced no heat and I've been pounding them. I guarantee that will change once things settle down. The high limit tables are supposed to be no mid shoe entry but I've been wonging and spreading to two hands at will. I've also gotten away with some ridiculous spreads. Get it while you can!
Appreciate the detail here - I was somewhat pressed for time so didn't sit and play BJ.
June 25th, 2013 at 4:42:16 AM
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thanks for detailed post. is late surrender offered like ct? i assume DAS no RSA.
June 25th, 2013 at 5:35:22 AM
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Quote: jmaftirthanks for detailed post. is late surrender offered like ct? i assume DAS no RSA.
Correct on all three.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 25th, 2013 at 8:12:14 AM
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I'm surprised it's not all continuous shuffle. I went there once, just slots with lottery type payouts, it's a joke. Rhode Island is a beautiful state and could be the jewel of the nation but because of scum politiicians and horrible management it's the armpit of the nation.
June 25th, 2013 at 8:32:26 AM
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DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
June 25th, 2013 at 8:36:44 AM
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Yes all politicians are scum, and I'm pretty sure we are the nations armpit.>Quote: IbeatyouracesAren't all politicians scum? And I always though Gary, Indiana was the armpit of the nation.
June 25th, 2013 at 8:56:16 AM
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The Governor's only qualification for the job was that he's the son of a famous man...
June 25th, 2013 at 2:06:53 PM
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Actualy the idiots thought he WAS that famous man. (His father John Chaffee, who was governor, became secretary of the navy then senator.)Quote: chickenmanThe Governor's only qualification for the job was that he's the son of a famous man...
June 25th, 2013 at 2:22:29 PM
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Of course if it was him he'd be in his 90s. Probably still be more on the ball though.
June 25th, 2013 at 3:02:47 PM
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Quote: pewActualy the idiots thought he WAS that famous man. (His father John Chaffee, who was governor, became secretary of the navy then senator.)
When he first became Senator, yes. By the time he ran, won, and lost Senate races and then ran for Gov as an Indy, most knew who he was.
June 25th, 2013 at 7:51:03 PM
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checked out the game today, just as 1BB summarized. 4-6pm on weekday was fairly crowded.
My only complaint was that the BJ tables are packed in so tightly that first and third base seats of adjacent tables bump into each other significantly, to make it quite uncomfortable. Dealers were a bit awkward with their hole card, but was not able to catch a peek from third base...
The six deck shoe tables started at $50 min, with 75% pen, but I lost quite quickly on it.
I found the 8 deck shoe more playable, with >7 deck penetration.
sitting at a $15 table starting one hand, up to 3 x $80 hands. so 16:1 spread easily. came back to even ;)
will definitely go back...
My only complaint was that the BJ tables are packed in so tightly that first and third base seats of adjacent tables bump into each other significantly, to make it quite uncomfortable. Dealers were a bit awkward with their hole card, but was not able to catch a peek from third base...
The six deck shoe tables started at $50 min, with 75% pen, but I lost quite quickly on it.
I found the 8 deck shoe more playable, with >7 deck penetration.
sitting at a $15 table starting one hand, up to 3 x $80 hands. so 16:1 spread easily. came back to even ;)
will definitely go back...
June 26th, 2013 at 3:19:47 AM
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Dealers have been instructed to cut off one deck on all blackjack games but they don't all have the same estimation skills. Did you notice that there is no notch on the side of the shoes?
Governor Chafee got to play a little blackjack on opening day. There was a charity tournament with the usual politicians and celebrities but it was the guy one table over who stole the show. Yes, Buddy was there and they were falling all over him. He's still quite the character. For those from southern New England Buddy needs no last name. Those not from the area can google Vincent A. Cianci, Jr.
Governor Chafee got to play a little blackjack on opening day. There was a charity tournament with the usual politicians and celebrities but it was the guy one table over who stole the show. Yes, Buddy was there and they were falling all over him. He's still quite the character. For those from southern New England Buddy needs no last name. Those not from the area can google Vincent A. Cianci, Jr.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 26th, 2013 at 3:48:59 AM
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Buddy for Governor! Oh, wait, there's a State law prohibiting convicted felons from running for Sate office? Too bad, he'd be great...
June 27th, 2013 at 4:18:15 AM
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noticed there was no notch for cutting decks... yes, very much dealers discretion.
so what's generally a better game, 6D 5/6 penetration ($50min) or 8D 7/8 penetration? ($15 min)
both S17...
so what's generally a better game, 6D 5/6 penetration ($50min) or 8D 7/8 penetration? ($15 min)
both S17...
June 27th, 2013 at 4:19:26 AM
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Quote: jmaftirnoticed there was no notch for cutting decks... yes, very much dealers discretion.
so what's generally a better game, 6D 5/6 penetration ($50min) or 8D 7/8 penetration? ($15 min)
both S17...
assuming HILO count
June 27th, 2013 at 8:10:28 AM
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The less decks the better.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 29th, 2013 at 7:35:31 PM
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"Governor Chafee got to play a little blackjack on opening day." The stumblebum probably split tens.
November 22nd, 2013 at 11:36:23 PM
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Anyone played craps here? Anything tricky other than the 5x odds to know about? Is there a vig up front on buy bets 4/10? Fire bet or anything? All the middle bets pay the standard amount? How many tables usually run? Are the dealers good? Deciding whether to make a stop, usually play at FW. Thanks.
October 13th, 2014 at 10:41:35 AM
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Took a look here recently and I can confirm that Twin Rivers is still S17, 6-decks @ $50 min or 8-deck for lower limits, split up to three hands, DAS, late surrender, BJ = 3:2, one card to split aces, with dealers generally cutting one deck out of the shoe. Tables (especially low-limit) get crowded quite fast, but they progressively open more and more pits on weekend nights and they're quick about getting a game going. I'm not sure how many pits are closed on weekday nights. Lots of heat, though. I had two guys watch over me as I kept buying in for more and more due to sucky variance... One of their floor people seemed to follow me even as I moved between pits. Take a break, take a KitKat, wait for the next shift. Or maybe I'm paranoid.
Comps work differently than Mohegan/Foxwoods -- you get points on your card as expected, but can request separate "comps" at a specific restaurant by talking to a host. 20 mins at $50/hand made the host happy enough to grant me $100 at their steakhouse, which BTW is something really special and perhaps one of the best ones I've been to (and I love me my steaks...)
Craps offers 10x odds! That's actually a pretty good game. I saw two low-limit ($10 pass) tables, and one higher-limit ($25).
There are only double-zero roulette wheels, three or four of them.
There's an event center, but no hotel. No poker yet, but I asked and they said they'll be adding it soon as the Boston/Revere casino develops. There's one store where you can buy things with points, but not much selection. You can buy visa/AmEx gift cards.
Comps work differently than Mohegan/Foxwoods -- you get points on your card as expected, but can request separate "comps" at a specific restaurant by talking to a host. 20 mins at $50/hand made the host happy enough to grant me $100 at their steakhouse, which BTW is something really special and perhaps one of the best ones I've been to (and I love me my steaks...)
Craps offers 10x odds! That's actually a pretty good game. I saw two low-limit ($10 pass) tables, and one higher-limit ($25).
There are only double-zero roulette wheels, three or four of them.
There's an event center, but no hotel. No poker yet, but I asked and they said they'll be adding it soon as the Boston/Revere casino develops. There's one store where you can buy things with points, but not much selection. You can buy visa/AmEx gift cards.
